Power Steering Leaks.

[Spasso]

In my case, I could swear it looks like the compression washers at the pressure/outlet hose are leaking. I half thought about tightening them, but with Murphy's law strong in my life I figured I'd just better replace them.

I thought the same on my sedan. It appears the drip from the banjo fitting is there just because it is the lowest point in the system.

Does any one have recommendations for sourcing a new PS pump on the outside chance it is failing?
Thanks, DJ

[Gearhead]

So DJ,

Are you saying that although you thought it was a leak at the banjo fitting, it was actually leaking from somewhere else? If so, where was the actual leak.

Thanks!

John

[jjw]

Mine leaks from the pitman shaft seal of the steering box, and so far, I can't find a rebuilt kit for the box. So I just left it alone since it is not too bad of a leak.

[RX7guy]

Hmmm... Mine seems to be leaking from the banjo fitting as well. Anyone know where to get the correct size crush washers?

[joshua43214]

Hmmm... Mine seems to be leaking from the banjo fitting as well. Anyone know where to get the correct size crush washers?

Should be just standard aluminum sealing washers. any decent parts store will have a bin with variouse sizes. Just match them up. Or go to the dealer and they can source it by the application if you dont have 2 vehicles.

The hoses themselves become perforated sometimes, clean every thing up with foamy engine cleaner and recheck.

[Kalevera]

Before chancing on crush washers, take the time to analyze the leak.

It seems like I've been doing a lot of power steering work recently. Three cars today, all exhibiting different problems.

If it's a V8, the lines are probably bad, even if they've been replaced once in the past. Heat and time do them in, it's a frequent issue. Gunk on the lines around and directly below the fittings, especially at the fluid reservoir, are telltale signs. Both lines associated with the reservoir were visibly gooped up and shot on a 9/97 E38 740 I did earlier today.

As others have said, just because the fluid is most visible at the banjo bolt fitting doesn't mean the leak originates there. The two others I saw today with P/S leaks exhibited this: an E39 528 had a loose hose clamp (norma, not crimp) and possibly a bad line -- the temporary fix was to tighten the clamp and clean the area; an E32 750 also had a visible drip at the lowest banjo bolt, yet a quick trace of the fluid flow revealed that the pump was leaking at the center seal -- I pulled the pump and rebuilt it.



best, whit

[Gearhead]

Thanks Whit. Looks like I'll "tighten" the hose clamps, clean it all off, drive a bit and re-inspect. It's just such a pain to see up in there. Need to find my dental mirror. Last I remember, one of my kids was playing with it and the dog was hiding.

[Spasso]

So DJ,

Are you saying that although you thought it was a leak at the banjo fitting, it was actually leaking from somewhere else? If so, where was the actual leak.

Thanks!

John

Okay, so here is an update.

THIS IS A V8 CAR!! It requires CHF11s fluid as per the reservoir cap. This is a Touring and does NOT have self leveling suspension but DOES have ASC.

Since the purchase of the car I thoroughly pressure washed the entire chassis and engine bay.

I left the lower shroud off and drove it approximately 1000 miles.

I put the car on the lift 3 times during that period and did a thorough inspection (using a flashlight) and mirror of all of the hoses top and bottom and all the way out to the cooler.

I noted each time that a small amount of fluid was accumilating at the lower banjo bolt on the pump but only because it was running down the hose.

There is NO fluid coming from the forward shaft seal of the pump. The pump is DRY top and bottom.

A larger amount of fluid is accumilating along the crossmember under the engine and I have been able to trace it over to the left hand motor mount. The fluid is dripping DIRECTLY onto the L/H motor mount from above yet the all hoses appear dry and the frame rail is dry in that area.

The main shaft that extends from the bottom of the steering box is dry.

As I type this I am looking at a shop receipt from 2004 that came with this car that says, "Diagnosis: traced loss of fluid to three power steering return hoses. Replaced three P/S hoses and one cooler hose to box. Measure and fit two hoses for return lines. Add fluid and cycle".

Sooooooooo, whats left? From what I can see from the schematic there is only one pressure line in the system, from the pump straight to the box.

I'm guessing that is the culprit and the fluid is seeping out of the hose somewhere inside the heat shielding and running out the end and onto the motor mount but when I look down there with a mirror I can't see evidence to support that theory. As a matter of fact I can't see sh*t!

It's very difficult to see ANY of the system except for the reservoir and the hoses leading up to it. It's not much better from underneath. Aggravating to say the least.

One more theory, the steering box has an end cap over the top of the main pitman shaft. Could it be leaking out of the seal under that cap?. The motor mount is immediately forward of the steering box.

I am hoping that maybe some of you V8 owners have had similar experiences and found a recurring weak spot in this system I can aim at.

Thanks in advance,
DJ

[joshua43214]

In my experience the hoses are the weak point. try this, clean the hoses with brake clean until they are totaly clean, the hose should then have a grey/black color. Drive the car, if the hose has turned black, it it leaky.

If you suspect a pressure hose. clean every thing, start the car and turn the steering wheel hard over against the lock and hold it there for a few moments, a pressure hose of fitting should have leaked enough to be dectectable.

Its hard to see down in there, You just have to keep at it, eventualy you will see something.

[Spasso]

The hoses that I can see look good and dry but there are others that are inside a corrigated heatshielding/sheath, outboard of the headers that I can't see. The only way to check them is to pull them out of the car and slide the sheath off.............................................

I guess the first step is to pull the pump and work my way back to the box and remove every hose.

Yuk.